Severable sealing means for reusable packages



Aug. 29, 1961' E. s. TUPPER 2,998,158

SEVERABLE SEALING MEANS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGES Filed Dec. 31, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a INVENTOR. 22 3 EARL sxmppez E. S. TUPPER Aug. 29, 1961 SEVERABLE SEALING MEANS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGES Filed Dec. 31, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EARL SRTUPPER BY i i Aug. 29, 1961 E. s. TUPPER 2,998,158

SEVERABLE SEALING MEANS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGES Filed Dec. 31, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

EH81. SLTJPPER 29, 1961 E s. TUPPER 2,998,158

SEVERABLE SEALING MEANS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGES Filed Dec. 51, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 EARL S TU PFER IN V EN TOR.

Uited States Patent 2,998,158 SEVERABLE SEALING MEANS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGES Earl S. Tupper, Upton, Mass., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rexall Drug and Chemical Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 31, 1954, Ser. No. 479,044 '4 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This invention relates generally to a plastic container for packaging varieties of merchandise and of the type adapted to be prefilled and sealed airtight and in tamperproof manner at the filling plant, but more specifically to a package of a selective gauge sufficient to be selfshape retaining and yet subject to local deformation at areas of pressure and further being capable of being reused as a container and cover after seal severance or discarded as the ordinary cardboard, glass or metallic package. Where the gauge is thicker, economy naturally would dictate retention of the package after severance.

The invention proposes certain improvements over the inventions set forth in applicants prior United States Patent 2,487,400, issued November 8, 1949, and United States applications Serial No. 394,604, filed November 27, 1953 now Patent No. 2,941,660 and Serial No. 467,- 992, filed November 10, 1954 now Patent No. 2,901,098.

The primary object of the invention herein resides in improved and specific sealing structures not claimed in the above prior inventions in connection with a substitute type of merchandise package relative to metallic, glass, cardboard and composition types now on the market and being on approximately the same price levels of cost of manufacture and wherein said package may serve as a durable package for the vessel contents for storage and transportation by carriers and wherein the package is capable of reuse after severance at the normally permanent seal by the consumer.

Another feature of the invention resides in a package of the above nature which is provided with improved structure at the joint area to increase the area of permanent and frictional contact between the cover and the container; to provide a more readily accessible, severable portion and to facilitate opening of the packaged parts after severance by hearing pressure on the cover.

A further feature of the invention reside in the provision of a plastic package of the above characteristics wherein the said improved joint structure as a whole serves as a convenient handle for holding the combination when in permanently sealed condition and as a part serves as a handle when the parts are in reusable and frictionally operative engagement with each other.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a plastic package of the above characteristics wherein the said improved joint structure serves to facilitate the sealing and scoring operations between the cover and container parts.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a plastic package of the above characteristics which is molded of thermoplastic material including the vinyls, treated styrenes or other substances having similar physical characteristics such as local distortability, capacity of withstanding and yielding to shock without breakage or fracture and sufiicient flexibility and softness for cutting, tearing or severance for opening the package. In addition, the material used is non-absorptive to and not readily wetted by water, is odorless, and is resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents and other chemicals at ordinary temperatures. Moreover, the material does not soften far below the boiling point of water, is resistent to mildews, micro-organisms, and insects. Furthermore, the package is capable of a degree of distortion while under permanent seal to enable easy storage either for transportation or refrigeration when quarters are cramped and further is capable of easy expansion and contraction in capacity for variations in temperature and pressure.

Although polyethylene has been found to be the most suitable plastic polymer which has all the above characteristics, it is understood that other plastic materials reduced to similar physical properties are applicable.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a form of packaging for commercial, industrial and consumer products which is strong, durable, resistant to wear, tear, shocks of handling, storage and impact, is electrically non-conductive and is further capable of reusability. The package, depending upon gauge of material selected may economically well be discarded after the heat sealing or non-frictionally joined areas have been separated.

A further selective object of the invention resides in the utilization of easily yieldable thin-walled material in the formation of a package, prefilled and sealed at a filling plant and which is suitable for storage, refrigeration and transportation, and which is strengthened in an improved manner despite the thin gauge by virtue of a complete permanent closure structure at the sealing edges.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the progress of the disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

Accompanying this specification are drawings showing preferred forms of the invention wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective partially in section showing a package partly in section and before severance of the permanent seal and showing cooperating score lines and sealing areas between the cover and container members for severance of the permanent sealing means.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the package shown in FIGURE 1 and showing the sealing areas of the package parts partially severed.

FIGURE 3a is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 3a3a of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3b is an enlarged detail of FIGURE 3a and showing in phantom the severed portion.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3a after severance of the permanent seal and showing the cover in the process of being removed from the container.

FIGURE 5 is a view shown partly in section and partly in perspective of a modified form of the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 of a still further modified form of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 of a still further modified form of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 5 of a still further modified form of the present invention.

FIGURES 9-21 are views similar to FIGURE 5 of still further modified forms of the present invention.

In accordance with the invention and the forms shown, FIGURES 1-4 show a type of storage container and cover suitable for reusability after a permanent seal has been impressed at a filling plant. This type of container or canister has a friction-engaging type of cover and may also be discarded, if made of thin gauge, as any other mechandise container, since little material is required for molding and forming the same.

Thus, letter A represents the container member of FIGURES l4 and letter B the cover therefor. Container A has a side wall 10 provided with a top having an outwardly and downwardly extending peripheral flange consisting of a curved top wall portion 11 and a downwardly extending skirt 12 integrally formed along its lower edge with a laterally and outwardly extending flange 13. Container A further has a bottom wall 14.

As shown, side wall is substantially cylindrical and slightly outwardly tapered from bottom wall 14, but it is understood that the necessity of the taper and the size and perimetric shape are selective only. Furthermore, the peripheral lip portions 11, 12 and 13 of the container are of any predetermined and selective sizes for purposes hereinafter described.

Container A is of any required capacity and together with cover B is furnished by the package manufacturer to the filling plant or filling operator and the latter determines requirements as to size, capacity and shape. The filling operator at the filling plant first employs the usual facilities for filling vessel A with contents such as food, chemicals, industrial, pharmaceutical, commercial and other types of products capable of being packaged for consumption or distribution by other manufacturers, dealers, distributors, consumers and the like. Thereafter, the parts are permanently sealed as will hereinafter appear.

Container A if made of thin gauge for discarding purposes, is locally deformable to slight pressure but at the same time is sufficiently rigid, whether the cover is applied or not, to be self shape-retaining. On the other hand, if container A is formed of thicker gauge material and therefore not intended to be discarded for economic reasons, the container is more resistant in deformability to slight pressure. When the container is made of thin gauge using a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or other substance having similar physical characteristics, the rigidity thereof is enhanced by reason of the cooperating closure structure as will appear.

Cover member B, made of the same material and of comparable gauge as container A, cooperates with the peripheral portions 11, 12 and lateral flange 13 of the lip area of the container to add in the shape-retaining characteristic thereof. Thus, peripheral portions 11, 12 and lateral flange 13 by virtue of specific structure serves as a reinforcing rim for container A arresting the tendency of easy collapsing and deformability of the container member thereat. Moreover, the flange 13 serves as a handle element when container A is used by itself as a canister, storage container and the like.

Container peripheral portions 11, 12 and flange 13 are further utilized for cooperation with similar and overlapping and engageable peripheral portions and flange on cover B. Thus, cover B is provided with a central wall 15 and terminates edgewise in an inverted, raised and peripheral groove generally indicated by numeral 16 which comprises a curved top wall 17, a downwardly extending skirt 18 and an outwardly extending lateral flange 19. Cover member B, being made as hereto-fore stated of the same material and with comparable gauge as container A, is likewise capable of easy deformability and the distortion thereof also being controlled and arrested by the reinforcing effect of the groove and flange structure as described.

The peripheral portions 11, 12, and flange 13 of container A and the peripheral groove walls 17, 18 and flange 19 of cover B are suitably dimensioned for sealing at the filling plant so that following removal in the method hereinafter described of the permanent sealed portions, suflicient flange and peripheral areas will remain for proper functioning of the packages as containers and frictionally removable and frictionally scalable covers therefor as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. Thus, in FIG- URE 4 cover B has at least the groove walls 17, 18 and a portion of the flange 19 engageable with container A at the peripheral portions 11, 12 and the remaining portion of flange 13 respectively for removable and scalable purposes after permanent sealing has been severed as shown in FIGURES l, 2, 3a and 3b.

It will be noted that the cooperating flanges 13, 19 are of broad dimensions and are spaced from container wall 10 and cover wall 15 to project beyond said elements for efficient sealing and scoring purposes effected at the filling plant with conventional equipment. These flange features not only increase the sealing contact between cover B and container A but increase the rigidity thereof as well as provide convenient handles for handling. In addition, as shown in FIGURE 4, such structure enables easy separation after severance between the cover and container as will appear and further leave wide flange portions 13a and 19a as combined and individual handles.

Several means of permanent sealing in conjunction with specific joint structures between cover B and container A are possible, one of which is shown in FIGURES 1-3b. Thus, sealing 20 is efficiently effected between flanges 19 and 13 at or adjacent the outer edges thereof without danger of complete fusion and is in the form of a narrow and peripheral or ring area of fusion accomplished by either heat sealing, adhesive, solvent or other known means, the said sealing being air and fluidproof. The sealing area 26 is easily confined to and disposed outwardly of a peripheral scoring line 21 penetrating the flange 19 and of a peripheral scoring line 22 penetrating the flange 13, the scoring lines 21 and 22 being aligned vertically. The scoring lines 21, 22 are broken at a small area 23 (FIGURE 1) outwardly of which a notch 24 running from the outer edges of the flanges 13, 19 and disposed outwardly of area 23 is formed, said notch 24 terminating inwardly of the fusion ring 20. Scoring lines 21 and 22 may be impressed by conventional equipment on projecting flanges 13 and 19 either as a simultaneous operation with sealing or otherwise.

Removal of overlapping portions of flanges 19, 13 outwardly of the scoring rings 21, 22 at notch 24 may be initiated by a pulling operation as shown in FIGURE 2 for removing the outer portions of the flanges 13, 19 outwardly of scoring rings 21, 22.

Of course, any type of cover and container member are feasible to practice the invention herein, but the invention herein is especially directed to telescopic type of engagement between the cover and the container members wherein the superposing flanges such as 13 and 19 are broad, are fused at or adjacent the free edges for furnishing a wide tolerance against fusion creeping inside the scoring lines such as 21 and 22 and wherein said flanges are easily yieldable about the horizontal plane by reason of connection with spaced elements from the main walls 10 and 15 of the container and cover, said yieldability preventing tearing or breaking off of said flange elements when sealed and during transportation or storage or when severed and roughly handled during use. It is understood that a tear string may be welded or fused between flanges 13 and 19 at the fusion area for severance, although this type is not shown herein. Permanent sealing may be continuous or spotted, it being noted that where sealing is not continuous, full hermetical sealing protection of the contents is furnished to the extent afforded by the frictional and live engagement between the cover and the container.

Although it is preferable to utilize the same material as well as gauge in the formation of both cover and container, it is understood that slight variations to suit requirements and economy may also be used. Both the container and cover may be formed by any of the known methods in use and the manner of production thereof in no way affects the invention herein. Included in such methods are injection, compression, blow molding and vacuum forming.

The rigidity afforded by the container and cover rim elements when connected or in separated condition causes a self shape-retaining structure, even though the portions beyond said rim elements are very easily deformable when thin gauge material is used, this rigidity being increased by the lateral flange 13, 19,

Thus, flanges 13, 19 extending outwardly from their respective peripheral portions increase the area of frictional contact between the cover and container, while at the same time increasing the rigidity of the respective members. By providing the sealed portion 20 along or adjacent the free edges of the aforesaid flanges, the necessary portions may be severed without in any way diminishing the area of contact between the top Walls 11, 17 and skirt portions 12, 18. Flanges 13 and 19 are, however, somewhat reduced to areas 13a and 19a (FIG- URE 4).

Flanges 13, 19 provide convenient, yieldable and nonbreakable handles for the cover and container when in sealed engagement; flanges 13a and 19a after seal severance may be used as handles when in frictional engagement and also facilitate the separation of the cover from the container as shown in FIGURE 4 as will hereinafter appear; Finally, it will be apparent that these flanges 13a and 19a increase the ease with which the cover may be frictionally secured to the container by grasping them between the fingers during the frictional sealing operation.

As shown in FIGURE 4 the removal of the cover from the container is effected by pressing the top wall 15 of the cover member with one finger and simultaneously lifting by means of the thumb the lower edge of the flange portion 19a. The depression of the top wall 15 of the cover B by one of the fingers causes a displacing action between the cover skirt 18, the container skirt 12 and flanges 13a, 19a whereupon the cover may be removed in a peeling-off type of operation.

Another method of removing the cover B from container A is to indent the container side wall with one finger such as the thumb and simultaneously grasp the cover flange 19a at a diametrically opposite area. There is caused a distinct deformation of the container portion at the thumb-press area causing a disengagement and lowering of the peripheral portion of the container lip portions 11, 12 and flange 13a from the groove and flange of the cover as shown in FIGURE 4 to initiate a peeling-off type of removal of the cover.

In applying cover B on container A for frictional engagement, it is merely necessary to align the cover groove walls 17, 18 and flange 19a with the container peripheral portions 11, 12 and flange 13a and then by a progressive sliding movement around the grooved top wall 17 of the finger, frictional seal-tight engagement takes place, this operation being facilitated by the drawing together of flanges 13a and 19a between the fingers of the other hand.

By reason of economy where thin gauged material is used and by virtue of modern molding methods, the container and cover may be made at costs comparable with the conventional glass, paper and composition containers and covers and hence may be discarded with the same amount of freedom by the consumer.

FIGURE 5 shows a second form of severable and permanent connecting structure between container A and cover B. In this form, the upper edge of the side wall 10 of the container A is connected to the skirt 12 by means of a flat, horizontal top wall 11a formed at substantially right angles to the skirt 12 and the side 10. The cover B is now provided with a flat, horizontal top wall 17a adapted to overlie the top wall 11a and which connects with a central portion by means of an inner vertical wall 25.

FIGURE 6 shows a third form of aflixation between container A and cover C wherein the cover is modified in that the central portion 150 connects directly with the outer skirt portion 18 along a curved peripheral edge 26.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown a fourth form of aflixation between container D and cover E. Container D has a side wall 27 provided with a horizontal type of peripheral flange 28 extending ofi side wall 27 at a curved edge portion 29. The cover member E is provided with a central wall 30 and terminates edgewise in a raised peripheral inner wall 31 adapted to abut the inner face of side 27 and connects with a horizontal laterally 5 extending flange 32 along a curved portion 33 which overlies the curved edge portion 29.

FIGURE 8 shows a fifth form of aflixation of the cover to the container wherein the container A" is integrally formed along the lower edge of its skirt portion 12 with an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 13b, while the correspondingly shaped cover B includes a central wall \15 which terminates edgewise in an elongated, raised and peripheral groove generally indicated by numeral 161: and having an inner wall 17a which connects the peripheral portion of the central wall 15 with the rounded top wall 17. The skirt portion 18 of the cover 8'' around its lower edge is integrally formed with the outwardly and downwardly extending flange 1% 'adapted to overlie flange 13b.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 9, there is shown a sixth form of afiixation wherein the container F is provided with a flat outwardly extending horizontal flange or wall 11:: connecting the spaced skirt portion 12 with the upper edge of the side wall 10 of the container and wherein the lower edge of the skirt portion 12 is integrally formed with the downwardly and outwardly extending flange 34. Cover member G is now provided with a central wall 15 which terminates edgewise in an inverted, elongated raised and peripheral groove having a flat horizontal top wall -17b overlying the top wall 11a of the container and which connects with the central wall 15 along an inner wall 35 of increased height relative to wall 25 of FIGURE 5. The outer edge of top wall 17b is integrally formed with the depending skirt 18 integrally formed 'along its lower edge with an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 36 adapted to overlie flange 34.

FIGURE 10 shows a seventh form of aflixation of the cover to the container A similar to the first form of the invention but wherein the top wall 17 of the cover connects with the central wall 15 thereof along an inner wall 37 of increased height.

FIGURE 11 shows an eighth form of afiixation of the cover to the container A similar to the second form of the invention (FIGURE 5) wherein the cover top wall 17a is connected to the central wall 15 along an inner wall 38 of increased height.

FIGURE 12 is a ninth form of affixation of the cover and container and is identical to the seventh form shown in FIGURE 10 except that wall 12 and flange .13 of the container and wall 18 and flange 19 of the cover are joined :by a broader curve as indicated respectively by letters m and n.

FIGURE 13 is a tenth form of aflixation of the cover to the container wherein the container H is provided with a flat top outwardly extending flange 11a integrally formed with a depending skirt portion 39 of relatively reduced height as compared with skirt 12 of FIGURE 11 and which connects with an outwardly extending flange 40 of reduced width along an outwardly and downwardly inclined portion 41. The cover I includes a central wall 15 which terminates edgewise in an outwardly and upwardly extending straight portion 42 connecting with an inner vertical wall 43 of the cover groove. The cover I also includes a flat horizontal groove top Wall 17a which connects the inner wall 43 with an outer skirt portion 44 of reduced height relative to wall 18 of FIGURE 11, the latter connecting with an outwardly extending flange 45 of reduced width relative to flange 19 of FIGURE 11, by a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion 46.

FIGURE 14 discloses an eleventh form of aflixation similar to the seventh form shown in FIGURE 10 and wherein the outwardly extending flange of the container is integrally formed with a vertical Wall 47 while the outwardly extending flange 1% of the cover is integrally formed with a cooperating wall '48. In this form the slot 24a is formed in the vertical walls 47, 48.

FIGURE 15 discloses a twelfth form of affixation and is a variation of the eighth form of the invention shown in FIGURE 11 wherein the outwardly extending flange 13d of the container is integrally formed with an upwardly extending vertical wall 47b while the outwardly extending flange 19d of the cover is integrally formed with an upwardly extending vertical wall 4812 which engages with the wall 471:. In this form the slot 24b is provided in the walls 47b, 4%.

FIGURE 16 discloses a thirteenth form of affixation of the cover to the container similar to the seventh form in FIGURE 10 but wherein the lower part of the container skirt portion 12 is integrally formed with an outwardly and downwardly extending portion 49 which conmeets with the outer laterally extending flange 13 while the skirt portion 18 of the cover is integrally formed with a downwardly and outwardly extending portion 50 which connects with the lateral cover flange 19.

FIGURE 17 discloses a fourteenth form which is similar to the sixth form shown in FIGURE 9 but wherein the lower part of the skirt portion 12 of the container integrally connects with the outwardly extending flange 13 along a downwardly and outwardly extending portion 4912 while the skirt portion 18 of the cover connects with the flange 19 thereof along a downwardly and outwardly extending portion 50b.

FIGURE 18 discloses a fifteenth form of 'aflixation of the cover I to the container K. Container K has a side wall 10 provided with a top having a curved peripheral flange 11 with a downwardly and inwardly extending skirt 1 integrally formed along its lower edge with a downwardly and outwardly extending flange 52. Cover member I is provided with a central wall 15 which terminates edgewise in an inverted, raised and peripheral groove generally indicated by numeral 16' and having a curved top wall 17 which connects with an inwardly and downwardly extending outer wall 53, the outer wall 53 along its lower edge being integrally formed with a downwardly and outwardly extending flange 54 which overlies the flange 52.

FIGURE 19 discloses a sixteenth form of aflixation wherein the container L has a side wall provided with a top having a peripheral upwardly extending flange 55 of a substantially reversed S-shaped cross section formed along its upper edge with a top outwardly extending horizontal flange 13. Cover member M is provided with a central wall which terminates edgewise in an upwardly extending peripheral groove '56 of corresponding and reversed substantially S-shaped cross section, the upper edge of the groove 55 being integrally formed with the outwardly extending horizontal flange 19.

FIGURE 20 shows a seventeenth form of aflixati'on. of the cover I to the container K similar to the fifteenth form in FIGURE 18 but wherein the curved portion 11 of the container is integrally formed with a downwardly and inwardly extending skirt 51' devoid of the downwardly and outwardly extending flange 52 in FEGURE 18, while the skirt portion 53 of the cover I is integrally formed with a downwardly and outwardly extending flange 54'. Sealing 2%" is now provided between skirt portions 51 and 53' in the form of a peripheral and narrow fused ring area, the fusion as in the several forms of the invention herein described being accomplished either by heat sealing, adhesive, solvent or other known means, the said sealing being air and fluid-proof. The sealing 2%" above the lower edge of the skirt portion 51 is disposed below a peripheral scoring line 2-1 provided in skirt portion 53 and below a peripheral scoring line 2 2' provided in the skirt portion 51'. The scoring lines 21, 22' are broken at a small area 23 below which a notch 24' running from the lower edges of the skirt portion 51 and flange 54 and disposed below area 24' is formed, said notch terminating below fusion ring 20'.

FIGURE 21 is an eighteenth form of afflxation wherein the side wall 57 of the container terminates on top by a spaced skirt 58 connected by a rounded edge portion 59. The cover has a central wall 60, has a peripheral and raised inverted and rounded groove with inner wall 61, outer wall 62 and connecting top wall 63. Corresponding walls engage one another while the sealing ring 64 is at or adjacent the lower free edges of walls 58 and 62. A peripheral scoring ring 65 is disposed on the outer face of wall 62 above the fusion area 64, said scoring ring 65, terminating adjacent and spaced from the beginning by Wall depending ears 62a and 58a to serve to initiate tearing of the seal. A score ring portion 65a on the outer face of ear 62a connects with the remaining ring portion 65 to facilitate and initiate tearing of the seal commencing with the ear portions 62a and 52a.

In other respects, the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 5-21 are the same as that shown in FIGURES 1-4, and like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the several views.

It is understood that the above forms of affixation apply to differently shaped containers and covers, including household items such as plates, cereal dishes, creamers, sugar bowls and tumblers as well as other industrial commercial and other types of containers and covers.

Forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 add greater rigidity to the packages before seal severance by the addition of vertical flange portions 47, 48 and 47b, 48b respectively.

The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 20 shows an outer flange 54' 011 the cover member I before seal severance for purposes heretofore discussed; but no flange remains after seal severance. This type of package has, as a consequence, smaller over-all dimensions for reusability and may be used accordingly.

It is distinctly understood that minor changes and variations in the material, integration, location and arrangement, size and connection and separation of parts may all be resorted to for practicing the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It is furthermore understood that whenever heat sealing is mentioned in the specification, this type of fusion is not restrictive as appears in other parts of the specification.

I claim:

1. In a heat sealable package of resilient locally deformable thermoplastic material including polyethylene, styrenes and vinyls and consisting of a container and an engaging cover therefor, an outwardly and downwardly folded container edge terminating in an outwardly extending flange and an engaging outwardly and downwardly folded cover edge also terminating in an outwardly extending flange adapted to superpose and engage the first mentioned flange, said flanges on the engaging faces and adjacent the free edges having a peripheral and permanently fused area, said flanges on the non-engaging faces and inwardly of the fused area being provided with aligned and peripheral scoring lines, means on the flanges to initiate severance of the fused and outer portions of the flanges along said scoring lines for removal of the said portions of the flanges whereby the cover and container may be reused as a frictionally engageable, sealtight and removable cover for the container.

2. In a heat scalable and resilient package of locally deformable thermoplastic material including polyethylene, styrenes and vinyls and consisting of a container and telescopically engaging cover therefor, an outwardly and downwardly folded container edge terminating in an outwardly extending flange and an engaging outwardly and downwardly folded cover edge also terminating in an outwardly extending flange adapted to superpose and engage the first mentioned flange, said flanges being substantially horizontal and of a relatively large width, said flanges on the engaging faces and adjacent the free edges having a peripheral and permanently fused area, said flanges on the non-engaging faces and inwardly of the fused area being provided with aligned and peripheral scoring lines, means on the flanges to initiate severance of the fused and outer portions of the flanges along said scoring lines for removal of the said portions of the flanges whereby the cover and container may be reused as a frictionally engageable, seal-tight and removable cover for the container.

3. In a heat scalable and resilient package of locally deformable thermoplastic material including polyethylene, styrenes and vinyls and consisting of a container and a telescopically engaging cover therefor, an outwardly and downwardly folded container edge terminating in an outwardly extending flange and an engaging outwardly and downwardly folded cover edge also terminating in an outwardly extending flange adapted to superpose and engage the first mentioned flange, said flanges being also downwardly inclined and having on the engaging faces and adjacent the free edges a peripheral and permanently fused area, said flanges on the non-engaging faces and inwardly of the fused area being provided with aligned and peripheral scoring lines, means on the flanges to initiate severance of the fused and outer portions of the flanges along said scoring lines for removal of the said portions of the flanges whereby the cover and container may be reused as a frictionally engageable seal tight and removable cover for the container.

4. In a heat sealable and resilient package of locally deformable thermoplastic material including polyethylene, styrenes and vinyls and consisting of a container and a telescopically engaging cover therefor, an outwardly and downwardly folded container edge terminating in an outwardly extending angle flange, and an engaging out- 3 wardly and downwardly folded cover edge also termimating in an outwardly extending angle flange adapted to superpose and engage the first mentioned flange, said flanges on the horizontal and engaging faces and adjacent the free edges having a peripheral and permanently fused area, said flanges on the non-engaging faces and inwardly of the fused area being provided with aligned and peripheral scoring lines, means on the flanges to initiate severance of the fused and outer portions of the flanges along said scoring lines for removal of the said portions of the flanges whereby the cover and container may be reused as a frictionally engageable seal-tight and removable cover for the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 460,246 Aytoun Sept. 29, 1891 541,606 Fellows June 25, 1895 2,110,012 Auban Mar. 1, 1938 2,232,783 Hausheer Feb. 25, 1941 2,252,779 Moore Aug. 19, 1941 2,285,220 Morrell June 2, 1942 2,410,928 Christner et al Nov. 12, 1946 2,462,988 Morgan Mar. 1, 1949 2,695,645 Tupper Nov. 30 1954 2,751,102 Kihm June 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 388,133 France May 22, 1908 231,487 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1925 659,382 France Feb. 4, 1929' 

